What are the signs and symptoms of iron deficiency in children?

Too little iron can impair your child's ability to function. However, most signs and symptoms of iron deficiency in children don't appear until iron deficiency anemia occurs. If your child has risk factors for iron deficiency, talk to his or her doctor.

Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia might include:

Pale skin

Fatigue or weakness

Slow cognitive and social development

Inflammation of the tongue

Difficulty maintaining body temperature

Increased likelihood of infections

Unusual cravings for non-nutritive substances, such as ice, dirt or pure starch

How can iron deficiency in children be prevented?

Take steps to prevent iron deficiency in your child by paying attention to his or her diet. For example:

Breast-feed or use iron-fortified formula. Breast-feeding until your child is age 1 is recommended. Iron from breast milk is more easily absorbed than is the iron found in formula. If you don't breast-feed, use iron-fortified infant formula. Cow's milk isn't a good source of iron for babies and isn't recommended for children younger than age 1.

Encourage a balanced diet. When you begin serving your baby solids — typically between ages 4 months and 6 months — feed him or her foods with added iron, such as iron-fortified baby cereal. For older children, good sources of iron include red meat, chicken, fish, beans and dark green leafy vegetables. Between ages 1 and 5, don't allow your child to drink more than 24 ounces (710 milliliters) of milk a day.

Consider iron supplements. If your baby was born prematurely or with a low birth weight or you're breast-feeding a baby older than 4 months and he or she isn't eating two or more servings a day of iron-rich foods, talk to your child's doctor about oral iron supplements.

Should I have my child screened for iron deficiency?

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are typically diagnosed through blood tests. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all infants be tested for iron deficiency anemia starting between ages 9 months and 12 months and, for those who have risk factors for iron deficiency, again at later ages. Depending on the screening results, your child's doctor might recommend an oral iron supplement or a daily multivitamin or further testing.

Iron deficiency in children can be prevented. To keep your child's growth and development on track, pay attention to how much iron your child is getting through his or her diet and talk to your child's doctor about the need for screenings and iron supplements.

Legal Conditions and Terms

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.